SPL keep quiet on Old Firm chants

18 February 2009 06:20

It was expected Alan Dick would highlight some of the songs that came from the Rangers support during Sunday's goalless draw at Celtic Park.

An SPL spokesman said Dick's report had been received and would be looked at along with the reports from the delegates at the weekend's five other top-flight games.

But when asked if mention was made of sectarian chanting, the spokesman said: "It is our policy not to discuss publicly the details of match delegates' reports."

Should Dick's report highlight sectarian chanting, the SPL would first cross reference his findings with police and match officials before seeking comment from both clubs.

If Rangers are found to have breached unacceptable conduct rules, the SPL board could impose a range of sanctions.

However, it looks unlikely to go that far, with the SPL keen to point out the police made a number of arrests on Sunday for sectarian-motivated offences from supporters of both clubs.

They were also eager to dispel what they view as the myth that Rangers are the only club to fall foul of their unacceptable conduct rules.

Fans of the Ibrox side yesterday suggested they were unfairly treated when it came to dealing with sectarian chanting.

Dick reported Rangers to the SPL in August 2007 following a game at Inverness.

There was no action taken then, only warnings of future possible sanctions, as the SPL board took into account the club's efforts to eradicate unacceptable conduct by some of their supporters.

That incident at the Caledonian Stadium came just nine days after the launch of Rangers' 'Follow With Pride' campaign, which was aimed at cleaning up the club's image by ending sectarian and other abusive chanting.

Rangers had previously been fined on two occasions by UEFA for offensive chanting in Champions League and UEFA Cup matches, amounting to in excess of £21,000.